World Darts Championship: Gary Anderson insists he’ll stay true to his roots chasing third straight title
'Flying Scotsman' has banked £2.6m in earnings from the oche but says he'll be no big-time Charlie in Ally Pally title defence
GARY ANDERSON has never forgotten those damp, dark, early-morning starts as a grate builder.
It was not that long ago the darts world champion would rise at 4am to work on fireplaces in Edinburgh, earning £1,000 a month.
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And it is only over the past few years that the father-of-three has achieved millionaire status, winning two world titles and travelling the globe.
But Anderson, 45, is quick to remind everybody that while he may now earn £1,000 a DAY, he has not suddenly transformed into a big-time Charlie.
The Scot, with £2.6million in career earnings to his name, said: “With the prize money in darts now, some people take it all for granted.
“But I still look at it that if I get beaten in the first round and win £4,000, that’s four months’ wages to me from when I was in the building trade.
WAYNE MARDLE'S 5 TO WATCH
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN
If Michael plays in the same rich form he has showed this year, I don’t see anyone beating him. It will take an amazing performance to stop him — and I cannot see that happening.
GARY ANDERSON
Gary is the reigning world champion and potentially the only man who could stop MVG. Rarely do you see him play well and losing — but I still don’t think he will win it a third time in a row.
PETER WRIGHT
He has not won a major title yet but Peter has all the attributes to win the world crown on January 2. His recent form has been excellent. Should reach the semi-finals.
PHIL TAYLOR
You never write off The Power but I don’t think he can beat Van Gerwen over 11 sets now. Next year he won’t enter as many tournaments. That says to me the will to win has gone.
DAVE CHISNALL
Dave, the world No 7, is my outsider. He’s in the right half of the draw to make an impact. I would fancy him to beat Anderson and Wright in the quarters and semis respectively.
“Many youngsters don’t appreciate the value of money. But being an old-school boy, every penny of mine goes towards the family. The more I can make, the happier I feel.
“In the building trade in my time you took home about £250 a week. You can turn that over in an hour’s work of the darts circuit.
“Darts is a working- class game. And we are just normal blokes. Yes, there are a few superstars kicking about — but we just let them get on with it!”
Anderson begins the defence of his William Hill PDC World Darts Championship crown tonight when he takes on friend Mark Frost in the first round.
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Should Anderson retain the Sid Waddell trophy on January 2, he will bank a cheque for £350,000 — the richest prize in darts.
Only Phil Taylor (several times) and Eric Bristow (in the rival BDO) have won the world title on three successive occasions.
Anderson said: “It was incredible to win it once.
“To win the second time was a huge bonus.
“A third time would be absolutely fantastic — but if it does not happen, I’m happy.
“I have done things that boys who have played a lot longer than me never got close to. I still consider myself a pub player. I never class myself as the best darts player in the world.”
Anderson will this evening wear glasses for the first time on London’s Alexandra Palace oche.
He said: “A lot of people say I should bin them. But they are needed. It is getting used to them. It is weird having glasses on.
“I might think about getting my eyes lasered. But just the thought of doing anything to my eyes scares the life out of me!”
Like before every match on stage, Anderson will make a trip to the lavatory to be sick.
But nobody should think that this is a sign of weakness.
Anderson explained: “The amount of times I’m outside throwing up . . . after 20 years in darts, I still get that nervous.
“But once you are on the stage, you just then settle down and play your game.”
MICHAEL VAN GERWEN has dominated darts this year like Phil Taylor did in his pomp.
MVG, 27, boasts 25 tournament wins in 2016 with eight of those in TV major titles.
It seems the Dutchman only has to turn up on time on six occasions at Ally Pally over the next 2½ weeks to become 2017 world champ.
But Gary Anderson is refusing to handover his William Hill world crown.
He warned: “Trust me, Michael’s beatable. Nobody is invincible on a dartboard.”
*The William Hill World Darts Championship takes place at Alexandra Palace, starting today until Jan 2. It will be shown live on the dedicated Sky Sports Darts channel as part of a festive season which includes Premier League football, EFL and Test match cricket